Do You Trust Your B&M's Recommendations?

[louistogie]

Originally Posted by bobbyg29

Same here Lou. I do so much of my own research and reading now that I rarely if ever get any useful information/recommendations from B&M workers, even those that I consider to be trustworthy and knowledgeable. I am sure there are exceptions out there (including some notable one's like Gatormoye here) but most B&M owners/employees I have come in contact with are not plugged into the online cigar community at all so they are just not up-to-date on the latest info and buzz. I think the one's that are would really benefit and be able to give the best recommendations.

For example, here is a conversation my favorite local B&M owner and I had a few weeks ago that is typical:

Owner: "Just got back from RTDA and have a fantastic new cigars you have to try: the Oliva Serie V" (he knows I like strong cigars)

Me: "Thanks for the recommendation!" (I didn't have the heart to tell him I have already tried this cigar 5 times). "When will you be getting the new 601 green label?"

Owner: "The 601 what?"

Haha nicely said.
I totally agree with the online cigar community, being up to date and all.
That would really benefit B&M's. I know this because I've learned a lot
from you guys!

[baboruger]

You know most of the shops around my house are the tobacco stores that have a small walk-in Humi but make most of the $'s on this cigarettes or tee-shirts or whatever.

That being said there are three nice stores in my area that I go to 2 times a month or so. One if a nice old shop that is large and have a good selection, but a bit over priced. The older guy who works there is really nice and helpful, but when the younger guy works, I think he could care less about the customer, the fast we leave the quicker he can get back to the TV.

The other is a really nice fresh shop in a shopping center in Schaumburg. This place is nice, and I think that the people who work there are ok. They always give their true opinions of the smokes, but some of them seem to tote the sales person line quoting the ads or marketing material. I like their prices and they have a good selection of higher end sticks.

The last is a stand alone place near my work. This place has the best selection around (as they are the only Pepin shop in the area) and the prices are really good. I have always been in at busy times, so I have not asked many questions. I think that they know what they are talking about as they are usually well stocked in the good "hot" brands and there is little of the stuff that most try to push.

All in all, I am not one to like the push sales person, nor am I one to ask for help. I am one who knows pretty much the type of cigar I am looking for in the store, so I am really never looking for help. If I am going to go and ask for help it is about something that I have never tried before. For Example, I picked up a Paul Garmirian cigar today and I have never had one nor heard much about them, so I asked the lady at the store (I had gone in to pick up some Los Blancos) she honestly told me that she never smokes the size I selected, but in the smaller size she said it was a powerful cigar that she did not care for, but if you like a power smoke, you will love it. Can't get much more honest than that.

There is one store in Palatine that has a nice selection and a nice guy who owns the place. He is always telling me about his new cigars which I guess is ok, but, he does have a good selection and good prices. he pointed me to some Olivas that were dirt cheap, and a really good smoke. He runs a tight shop (I once heard him tell some people, I thought kids, "this is not a museum") but he has a small but nice selection and is a nice guy.

Just one last funny story that made me laugh. I was in one of the hole in the wall spirits/cigar stores and the owner came over to push the Sopranos cigars he "bought two months ago, but look there is only 1 gone from the box. I ever dropped the price to what I paid, and they are still not going." But...his "price he paid" was really about a $1 per stick more than the other B&M's I've been to. Quite a nice story from that man.

So do I trust them, depends, but it seems easy to tell if someone is telling you a story or not. Some are good and some a sales guys, even in the same store there can be both. But again I usually go to the B&M with a specific mission other wise my salesman is on the internet, and I never trust those descriptions....

[baboruger]

Originally Posted by Tha Criddler

I am my local B&M HAHA HA HAHAHAHAHHAHHA HA A

Should we trust you LOL

[Tha Criddler]

Originally Posted by baboruger

Should we trust you LOL

I'll just tell you everythings crap.

[tx_tuff]

A totaly trust the ones I go to, if I didn't I prob wouldn't be going to them. Right now I pretty much know what I like and don't like. I will ask them about new stuff or stuff I havent seen before and always get honest answers from them. I'm lucky, I have one right by my house that is a B&M/Bar and the owners are freakingn awesome and then I have another I have been going to longer and its a good drive but will still go there to because once again the owner is awesome. Great being me LOL

[Marlboro Cigars-cl]

If you visit that B&M often and have established a good relationship with the people there, than I usually buy the recommendations.
However, many times at a new B&M where the employees do not know you or your tastes, I will just pick something on my own.